Pakistan Stockpiles Food Supplies at Border in Response to Rising Tensions with India | Amu TV

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan — Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir are taking significant steps to boost food supplies along the Line of Control (LoC). This move aims to prepare for potential escalations in tensions following a recent militant attack that has raised alarms between India and Pakistan.

At a government mill in Muzaffarabad, workers were busy loading flour onto trucks this past weekend. Officials reported that this flour is destined for storage sites in regions that are particularly vulnerable to cross-border shelling.

Akbar Ibrahim, the food minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, explained to Reuters that the Food Department has been instructed to increase their stockpiles from one month to two. This decision comes as officials are wary of possible disruptions in supply if hostilities arise.

The increased rationing responds to a deadly attack last week in Kashmir that resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people, primarily tourists. India has accused militants, allegedly supported by Pakistan, of this attack, a claim that Pakistan denies. In the wake of this, Pakistan has indicated it possesses credible intelligence that India might be planning a retaliatory strike.

“All depots along the Line of Control are receiving flour as directed,” said government food inspector Syed Zawar Haider. “We’ve managed to stock one month’s supply. It should take another few days to complete the second month’s stock.”

Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the region’s Prime Minister, has urged authorities to enhance storage facilities in border districts. Senior food official Abdul Hameed Kiani reassured that supply lines are stable and there is no current shortage.

Despite the preparations, the community has mixed reactions. Some residents, like Sayyad Hussain, a 45-year-old transport worker, believe these rations are just part of normal operations. “This is routine. It’s not about fear of war,” he stated. Others, however, like 42-year-old laborer Dawar Hussain, felt a sense of anxiety amid the uncertainty. “Life has no guarantee. I can be here today and gone tomorrow. I only think about today,” he reflected.

Kashmir has a complex history. It’s claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but is governed in parts by each. The region has witnessed three wars, numerous insurgencies, and a long-standing diplomatic standoff between these nuclear-armed neighbors. According to a 2021 research study from the United States Institute of Peace, tensions in Kashmir not only affect bilateral relations but also create significant humanitarian challenges for the locals.

Given the ongoing situation, community members are left to navigate their daily lives under the shadow of historical conflict and current uncertainties, making their resilience all the more critical.

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